Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing the findings from an evidence review relating to people living with severe mental illness (SMI) and the health inequalities they face and note the emerging themes from an early analysis of lived experience of people with SMI.  The Panel was also requested to consider whether the local system was equipped to deal with particular challenges that relate to health inequalities for the two cohorts it had been agreed to focus on.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·       Members requested clarification on the timescales of the questionnaire and availability.  In response, the Panel was advised that the current questionnaire was open until the end of November and the two remaining questionnaires would be open until the end of December.

·       Members commented that the level of detail contained in the report was helpful as it informed the Panel as to possible future directions that may be taken.

·       Now that the academic analysis had been completed, Members queried how it could be ensured that the correct response was delivered.  In response, the Review Panel was advised that people had fed back the things that they believed would help and it was proposed to turn these into tangible recommendations, combined with things that had been found in the evidence base and certain pieces of guidance.

·       It was noted that people are not always aware of the help and support that was available and the importance of continuing to get the message out around how people could access the resources that they need.

·       In addition, Members stressed the importance of spreading the word regarding the support available for assistance with filling out forms and technological issues, for example.

·       It was confirmed that the questionnaire could be completed by Service Commissioners and Service Providers as they could provide some very useful insights.  It would be made clear within the questionnaire so that people could be clear in what capacity they are responding.

·       The questionnaire was currently in the process of being simplified.

·       It was recognised that some of the language around these issues could be tricky to navigate.

·       It was stressed that often community groups can often hold the key to bringing about the necessary changes and that they should feel valued and be a key part of the process.

·       Members wished to express their thanks and appreciation to all of those who had completed the questionnaires and to all of those who had enabled this process.

·       In relation to prevention, the Review Panel was advised that whilst this was not an explicit target or objective, these would form part of the potential pathways.

·       The Review Panel noted that mental health outcomes are driven by the wider social determinants that were covered in the report.  Support for people in areas such as housing and employment can assist with prevention.

·       It was acknowledged that voluntary sector partners will play a huge role in prevention and proactive care.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss the key issues raised during the scrutiny review and agree the next steps for the review.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·       It was confirmed that the second cohort questionnaire would be available until the end of December in order to have enough time to complete the analysis and the final report.

·       The meeting in January 2025 would have some early results and these would then be included in the final report.

·       It was explained that due to various governance processes, the ideal time for the Review Panel to meet again would be the week commencing the 13 January 2025.

·       The Review Panel noted that there was only one further meeting but that the report could be completed in readiness for the CLT and Cabinet meetings in March 2025.

RESOLVED – That potential dates would be circulated and a decision taken as to the date of the next Scrutiny Review Panel.